Snake Jumping~

Recently, while running in the afternoon on the mountain bike trail, I was wondering how the run was going to go on a hot day.  I have been running on the dirt trail at least once a week as I train for the Big Butts 50K on July 28^th.

My theory is that if you train on the surface that the event is going to be run on, you’ll do better.  I think this theory is widely accepted as reasonable.  Especially on a dirt trail where there are rocks, roots, ditches, and gulleys on the trail.  In other words, an uneven ground with other variables makes for a very bumpy run.

The way the uneven ground makes the foot, ankle and leg muscles make constant adjustments and movements, the need to be flexible is important.  While training on these trails, the connective tissues and muscles slowly build up strength over time.

As you can tell, I really do like to run on dirt trails.  The animals are up close and there is something around every turn.  This brings me to the back to an experience I had this week running on the trail in the woods. Snakes.  Not just little bitties, I mean three to four foot snakes that were making their way across the trail when I came up on them.  There were three snakes, not at the same time.

I know that you are supposed to stop and back up whenever you see a snake.  That’s the safe thing to do.  But I was running along at a good clip.  When I saw each snake, I was already about to step on them.  All I could do was jump.  So, I hurdled each snake and high-stepped it down the trail, afraid that the snake would come after me.  This happened three times in one day. Maybe the snakes like the afternoon heat.  I’ll need to do some more research.

The trail offers up these kinds of adventures every time.

Gotta run,

Chuck

The Vagabond Runner.